(Pueblo, CO, February 26, 2026) — Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) Forest and Grassland Supervisor Ryan Nehl signed the final decision for improved camping management on Leadville and Salida ranger districts, near Leadville, Buena Vista and Salida. Decision documents and maps are available on the project webpage in the “final decision” folder.
The first phases of implementation are slated for the Browns Creek area of the Salida Ranger District, west of U.S. Highway 285 and County Road 270, and for the Clear Creek corridor on the Leadville Ranger District, west of Clear Creek Reservoir. This spring and summer, an interdisciplinary team of Forest Service staff will review a variety of resource conditions to determine the location of designated dispersed campsites.
With an emphasis on maximizing camping opportunities, initial project discussions have focused on prior and projected future camping use to sustainably continue camping in the same or similar locations.
In the Browns Creek area, designated dispersed camping management will limit the spread of bare ground, protect the banks of Browns Creek, minimize cultural resource impacts and minimize damage to fences and corrals. Within the steeper country along the Clear Creek corridor, this summer’s layout efforts will focus on camping locations near water and access to campsites, while considering the cultural, biological and other resource values.
The public may see new barriers and signs, with new vault toilets in some locations. Prior to final site designation and other related changes, another public news release will be issued to increase camper awareness. Until that time, regular dispersed camping opportunities will continue in both areas.
The Forest Service will provide more information regarding future phases of this project. For questions, contact National Environmental Policy Act Planner Deborah Kill at .
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
